“If someone is out there reading this, I hope they read, don’t sell yourself short. Please try,” Dallin Bundy, 2025 Truman Scholar, said.
On April 10, 2025, President Reese met with Dallin Bundy to tell him he was selected as a 2025 Truman Scholar. Dallin Bundy, a junior at Brigham Young University studying political science with a minor in civic engagement leadership, is the fifth BYU student in five consecutive years to receive this award. Bundy’s passion for public service and commitment to government and policy work have been key drivers in his journey to becoming a Truman Scholar.
The Truman Scholarship awards $30,000 for graduate school to junior students who are dedicated to a career in public service. Those who demonstrate leadership potential with a drive to succeed in graduate school are selected. This year, 54 out of 743 students across the United States were selected as 2025 Truman Scholars, Bundy being one of them.
“I now understand how much work people put into these scholarships and opportunities, and I’m just very blessed,” Bundy said. “I owe everything to my parents who have helped me get here, and I think I wouldn’t have the emphasis on education that I do if it weren’t for them.”
Bundy has always had a passion for government and public policy. Growing up in St. George, Utah, he was able to have many conversations with his father about government and politics. Although the conversations were never intense, it made him aware of what was happening. Both of Bundys’ parents have made a huge impact in his desire to increase his education.
Bundy began attending BYU in 2022 after serving a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Las Vegas and Ecuador. Bundy started applying for the Truman Scholarship, after receiving encouragement from his good friend Jane Drinkwater, 2024 Truman Scholar. Drinkwater told Bundy to, “go for it,” which helped him start thinking about applying more seriously. As he was learning more about the scholarship, Bundy discovered he needed to have a specific focus in public service.
“Instead of trying to come up with something new, I really looked at what I’ve already done and what I care about the most. And that led me to really talk about depolarization and bipartisanship,” Bundy said. “Politics have been crazy for the past couple of years. And I think there needs to be a better process to it. In talking with other people who had experience with the Truman Scholarship, I thought this could be my focus.”
Bundy continued applying for opportunities, being involved in his volunteer work, and was more intentional with the application as a whole. He started meeting with Amy McLaughlin from the BYU National Scholarships and Prestigious Fellowships office to physically put his application together.
“Dallin is a capable, compassionate, impactful leader who is committed to a career in public service because he cares deeply about his community and his state,” McLaughlin said. “He is bright, talented, and already has an impressive track record of reaching out across ideological divides to bring people together. He has the heart of a peacemaker, and I know that he will have an impact for great good in his future work.”
Bundy is grateful for his experiences at BYU. He feels he has benefited academically, but also spiritually. He believes BYU strives to improve character and helps students understand how everything in life intersects with the gospel.
“I am so glad I came to BYU, because we approach education with the gospel in mind. The Gospel of Jesus Christ has strengthened me in so many ways,” Bundy said. “Our ultimate mission is to help people understand the gospel of Jesus Christ in connection with their character and intellectual pursuits. BYU to me has been both motivating and empowering, yet grounding.”
As Bundy began attending BYU, his love of public service flourished. He first became involved with BYUSA and continued serving in other clubs and committees. Bundy managed the winning BYUSA 2025 Student Body Presidency campaign for Caleb and Ella, which focused on new opportunities for students.
“I really started public service here on campus through BYUSA,” Bundy said. “I was involved in activities, because I love event planning. And although that’s not political in nature in any sort of sense, it really solidified to me how important it is to work together as teams and to have this coalition of support.”
Bundy became more aware of public service through his extended family. He attends an annual family reunion, which requires structure, organization, and leadership in planning the event. He grew up serving others at his family reunion and would witness the behind the scenes in planning the event. Through his experiences, Bundy believes government is the ultimate institution for serving others.
Bundy worked with a few campaigns in the summer of 2024. He canvassed door-to-door for Jeff Howell, a Democratic candidate for Utah’s 23rd House District. Although Howell came from a different party, Bundy discovered the overlapping priorities for public education and how both believed in a more civil way forward for Utah. Bundy is currently serving as president of the BYU College Republicans. Through his experience, Bundy was able to write an op-ed with his Democratic colleague about having more trust in our state election systems. He is currently assisting with behind-the-scenes improvements to Utah election accessibility.
After graduating, Bundy aspires to attend BYU law school to achieve a juris doctorate degree. He would then go into government and public policy work. Bundy plans to stay in Utah and focus on how policies affect the state; specifically, how elections are run in Utah. He plans to use a law background and legal education to pursue how public policy is written, enforced, and how governments best serve people.
For future applicants, Bundy suggests to, start early, utilize BYU’s resources, and ask for advice from past Truman Scholars from this institution.
“Start thinking about it early; even if it’s just thinking, because thinking is great. Having a focus on what is the most important change or area that you could serve in, is crucial,” Bundy said. “My final piece of advice is, don’t sell yourself short. There was one point that I thought I couldn’t do this. Part of me still thinks that. And yet I wouldn’t have applied if other people hadn’t encouraged and empowered me.”